Encyclopaedia of Gardening 41 



The hints on height, season of bloom, and distance already given 

 will guide in planting. 



Selections of bulbs. The following are selections of the most 

 important kinds of bulbs: 



Achimenes. A genus of Gesneraceous plants, forming tubercles- 

 at the root, to which the plants die back in autumn, and from which 

 they start again the following spring. They are particularly suit- 

 able for hanging baskets, and will thrive in bulb soil that is kept in 

 the basket by a lining of moss. The tubercles may be started into- 

 growth in pans or boxes in a warm house or frame in winter, and 

 potted or put 3 ins. apart round the baskets when they are 3 ins. 

 high. The plants like a moist atmosphere and plenty of water 

 while in growth. When in full bloom they may be hung in a cool 

 house. Among many good varieties, Admiration, violet-magenta;. 

 Ambroise Verschaffelt, white, netted yellow; Dazzle, vermilion; 

 and Rose Queen, rose, may be named. (See also page 3.) 



Ads. Closely allied to the Snowflakes (see Leucojum). The- 

 principal species is autumnale, white, tinged rose, growing about 

 6 ins. high and blooming in summer. It does best in sandy peat ort 

 the rockery. 



Aconite, Winter (Eranthis hyemalis). A pretty, low, winter- 

 blooming plant with a green frill round the pale yellow flowers. 

 Plant 6 ins. apart and an inch deep. 



Allium. The white Neapolitanum is the best known; Moly, 

 yellow; Ostrowskyanum, rose; and triquetrum, white, drooping, are 

 also good. 



Alstroemerias. These grow about a yard high and make thick 

 clumps, bearing flowers streaked and spotted with orange, red, and: 

 yellow. Aurantiaca, Chilensis, and Pelegrina are good species. 

 There is a white variety of the last. Plant a foot apart. 



Amaryllis. The beautiful large-flowered hybrids which bloom 

 in advance of their leaves in warm houses in winter are now called 

 Hippeastrums. They are handsome pot plants, having flowers 6 to- 

 9 ins. across, of handsome form and brilliantly coloured. The bulbs 

 go to rest in summer, and may be re-started in batches in autumn 

 and winter in order to get a succession of bloom. Grow in 5 -in. 

 and 6-in. pots. Amaryllis Belladonna is lovely in a sheltered 

 place out of doors in September. The plants may be lifted and 

 potted when they show bud. The leaves come after the flowers. 

 This beautiful plant is called the Belladonna Lily. There are 

 several forms, differing in tint and size. Amaryllis formosissima is 

 the Jacobean Lily, a plant which produces bright crimson flowers 

 in May and is well adapted for the unheated greenhouse. Amaryllis 

 purpurea, otherwise Vallota purpurea, is the brilliant scarlet Scar- 

 borough Lily, a fine plant for a cool greenhouse or room window. 

 Very little water is needed in winter and spring, but a good deal in 

 summer. Amaryllis (more often Sternbergia) lutea is a beautiful 

 little Crocus-like bulb with bright yellow flowers in early autumn, 

 borne in advance of the leaves, suitable for the garden; it should 

 be planted in late summer. Amaryllis (more correctly Nerine) 

 sarniensis is the lovely Guernsey Lily, which requires the same 

 treatment as the Belladonna, We see that the Amaryllises are 



